Which place is cheaper, New Bern or Nags Head?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Nags Head vs. New Bern for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Nags Head or New Bern?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nags Head or New Bern? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Nags Head or New Bern?
Nags Head
Nags Head is a popular tourist destination in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The town, with a population of almost 3,000, has many nice beaches and is also where you'll find Jockey's Ridge, which has the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. It's also the most visited park within the North Carolina park system.
New Bern
New Bern is a town in the coastal region of North Carolina. The town, which has a population of about 30,000, is the county seat of Craven County. It sits at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers close to the North Carolina coast, although there is no coastline in town. The town makes a nice daytrip from Raleigh, which is 112 miles away, and Wilmington, which is 87 miles away. It's also 162 miles from Norfolk, Virginia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNags Head $149New Bern $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Nags Head is $149, while the average daily cost in New Bern is $140. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nags Head and New Bern in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNags Head $80New Bern $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNags Head $160New Bern $152
Compare Hotels in Nags Head and New Bern
Looking for a hotel in Nags Head or New Bern? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nags Head Hotel Prices and New Bern Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nags Head $40New Bern $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Nags Head or New Bern?
Prices for flights to both New Bern and Nags Head change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayNags Head $41New Bern $41
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nags Head $14New Bern $26
Tours and Activities in Nags Head
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $9.99
- Outer Banks Audio Driving Tour: $13
- Outer Banks & Cape Hatteras Seashore Self-Guided Drive Tour: $15
- Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes: Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
- OBX Ghost Tours: $25
- Manteo Historic Walking Tour: $28
- 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $57
- Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
- Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59
- Corolla Kayak Adventure: $59
- Stand Up Paddleboard Adventure on the Outer Banks : $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNags Head $12New Bern $30
When comparing the travel costs between Nags Head and New Bern, we can see that Nags Head is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
Which is Bigger, Nags Head or New Bern?
New Bern is bigger, and its population is about 7.4 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the population of Nags Head vs. New Bern, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit and the activities that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Nags Head or New Bern?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Nags Head or New Bern in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as New Bern. The summer months attract visitors to Nags Head because of the family-friendly experiences.
Nags Head is around the same temperature as New Bern in the summer. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and New Bern fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).
It's quite rainy in New Bern. Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nags Head usually gets less rain in July than New Bern. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNags Head 78°F (26°C)New Bern 80°F (27°C)
Should I visit Nags Head or New Bern in the Autumn?
Both New Bern and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Nags Head is cooler than New Bern. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nags Head in October average around 62°F (16°C), and New Bern averages at about 65°F (18°C).
In October, Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of rain as New Bern. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNags Head 62°F (16°C)New Bern 65°F (18°C)
Should I visit Nags Head or New Bern in the Winter?
Both New Bern and Nags Head during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nags Head for the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Nags Head. In January, Nags Head is generally cooler than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 41°F (5°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).
New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. Nags Head usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as New Bern. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNags Head 41°F (5°C)New Bern 44°F (7°C)
Should I visit Nags Head or New Bern in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and New Bern.
Nags Head is cooler than New Bern in the spring. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and New Bern fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).
In April, Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of rain as New Bern. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNags Head 59°F (15°C)New Bern 62°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for New Bern and Nags Head
| Nags Head | New Bern | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 41°F (5°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Feb | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Mar | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Apr | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 5 inches (126 mm) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 6.6 inches (169 mm) |
| Aug | 78°F (25°C) | 5 inches (127 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 7.6 inches (192 mm) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Oct | 62°F (16°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Dec | 45°F (7°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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